CANTON, Ga. – The Southern Athletic Association joins Trinity University in mourning the tragic loss of 8-year-old Kellyanne Lytal, beloved daughter of Tigers offensive coordinator Wade Lytal. Kellyanne was among the young girls attending Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp in Hunt, Texas, when devastating flooding along the Guadalupe River occurred.
Commissioner Stacey Ladew offered the following statement on behalf of the conference:
“On behalf of the Southern Athletic Association, I extend our deepest condolences to the Lytal family and the entire Trinity University community as you grieve the heartbreaking loss of Kellyanne Lytal. In the days since the flooding, we have clung to hope alongside you, sending strength and prayers to our Trinity family.
As the unimaginable became reality, we now offer our continued support, our compassion, and our collective strength. When I visited Trinity University, I witnessed the profound sense of family and care within both the athletic and broader campus communities. That spirit is what makes this loss so deeply felt — not only across campus but throughout our entire conference.
As a conference, we wrap our arms around the Lytals, the Tigers football program, and all who have been touched by this tragedy in the heart of Texas. We are especially grateful to the first responders, emergency personnel, and members of the community who have acted with courage and compassion throughout this time.
Kellyanne’s legacy will live on through all who knew and loved her. I know I will share her story with my own children — a story of fearlessness, kindness, joy, inclusiveness, and unshakable faith. She lived fearlessly and loved deeply — may we all strive to do the same.”
In honor of Kellyanne’s life and legacy, we encourage our supporters to give through the Kellyanne Elizabeth Lytal Memorial Foundation, which will continue her impact through the charitable causes she held dear.
In the days ahead, additional opportunities to honor Kellyanne on campus and throughout the conference will be announced.
To begin our collective remembrance, we invite the SAA community to post photos of our student-athletes doing something courageous, determined, or bold — accompanied by the hashtag #FearlessLikeKellyanne.